St Mellons crash: Driver admits charges linked to deaths inquiry

A 32-year-old man has admitted charges related to an investigation into a car crash that killed three people.

Shane Loughlin from Rumney, Cardiff, appeared at the city's magistrates' court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified, on the M4 on 3 March, 2023.

The car crashed in St Mellons, Cardiff, later that night, killing three people.

The charges are not related to the collision, police said.

Footage played showed Loughlin driving with no hands on the steering wheel at times, appearing to inhale something from a balloon and with music blaring.

Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the collision shortly after 02:00 GMT on 4 March.

Loughlin and Sophie Russon, 20, were critically injured and taken to hospital.

All five had been on a night out in Newport when the car is believed to have veered off the A48 into trees.

Magistrates were told four videos from Loughlin's mobile phone were discovered indicating he was inhaling something from a balloon.

At times he had one hand or no hands on the steering wheel as he was travelling along the M4 at speeds between 80-90mph (123-145km/h).

The court was told mobile phone videos showed the fuel low warning gauge and the seatbelt signs were both illuminated.

At 22:18 GMT, the court was told videos showed there was loud music playing and the car crossing the white line in the middle of the road.

The court also heard that CCTV footage later shows him leaving the car at 10:40 on 3 March, getting fuel at the Castleton Esso garage, paying and getting back into the car at 10:45.

The court was told he has 21 convictions for 32 offences, including drug-driving, and at the time he was disqualified from driving.

Hundreds of people attended a vigil in St Mellons the week after the crash to pay tribute to them.